The free scheme giving a lifeline to parents in Oldham

Oldham council has completed a roll-out of a new approach to family centres which brings a number of crucial services together under one roof.

Oldham council has completed a roll-out of a new approach to family centres which brings a number of crucial services together under one roof.

The last of seven ‘family hubs’ held its launch event in Alexandra on Friday (Sept 20). 

The centre is part of a program developed under the previous government, which allotted £82m of funding to 75 local authorities across the country. The funding targeted areas with the ‘highest deprivation levels’ as part of a levelling-up agenda, according to the Department for Education. 

The hubs centralise resources such as midwifery clinics, breastfeeding support, parenting advice, speech and language training and star and play sessions. They offer support for children and young people from conception through to 19-years-old, or 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 

Parents at the Alexandra hub described the scheme as ‘really reassuring’ and a valuable ‘getaway’ from the trials and tribulations of juggling parenting responsibilities alone. 

Local mum Megan said she takes her daughter Raven to the centre ‘all the time’. 

She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “My daughter’s got a genetic condition which causes overgrowth and the ladies here have been really reassuring. They don’t mind me coming in more often than most other mums. 

“I’m here every other week just to get away and make sure she’s not getting too big. I need somewhere to go.” 

Megan used to come to the centre before it was relaunched as a family hub and says she’s noticed some significant changes. 

“There’s so much here now,” she said. “And there’s so many toys. It’s amazing to just be able to put her on the floor and let her roam.”

The hub offers parents everything from health advice – with weekly baby weigh-ins, affordable multivitamins and post-natal depression workshops – to support accessing childcare, affordable clothing and housing advice. 

Eunice, mum to four-month-old Tyrese, said she would definitely be returning to the hub. 

“It’s amazing,” Eunice said. “Coming in and seeing other parents is nice. It’s also very useful. I’m looking at going back to work and I didn’t know what to do about childcare. 

“I’ve put him down for nursery but I was worried about the nursery costs, which are more than £200 a week.”

Staff at the centre had advised her on how to apply for funded childcare to support her transition back into her role as a learning support practitioner.  

“It’s important to me to work,” she said. “Me and my partner didn’t get any universal credit because of the amount we were earning. And I don’t want to become reliant on dole so I have to go back. 

“I also miss it. I miss my students, they need me.” 

Speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, councillor Ali Mushtaq, who leads the council on children and young people, said: “The new Hub looks amazing and it’s great to see so many families here enjoying themselves. There’s a wonderful vibrant atmosphere here and it’s really well-equipped.

“I encourage people to come and use this family friendly Hub to give their children the best start in life. There’s a whole host of support and activities they can access.”

Karen Benett, the hubs’ district manager, added: “Parents really enjoy the range of sessions such as Baby bonding, Youth Connect 5, Baby Bistro, with you in mind groups, offering a warm and loving environment where families feel safe, it’s a home from home.” 

There are now seven hubs across Oldham: one in Alexandra; the Beever Family Hub; Medlock Vale; Oldham Library; Shaw; Spring Meadows; and Stanley Road Family Hub.